The Siege of Barabati (1745) was a significant military engagement during the Maratha invasions of Bengal. In February 1745, Raghuji Bhonsle instigated by Mustafa Khan advanced toward Orissa, catching Durlabh Ram, the Na’ib Nazim. Unaware of the approaching enemy, Durlabh Ram fled to Barabati Fort, which was swiftly surrounded by Raghuji's troops. Durlabh Ram's ill-advised visit to Raghuji's camp led to his capture, and he was held hostage. Despite his capture and imprisonment, his lieutenant Mir Abdul Aziz resisted the Marathas for a month until his surrender. Thus Raghuji’s Bargi forces swept over the territories of Medinipur, Burdwan, and Birbhum before advancing to Bihar, where they allied with Afghans rebels.

Background

In February 1745, Mustafa Khan bolted from Murshidabad in full rebellion against Alivardi Khan and sent a letter to Raghuji of Nagpur, revealing his plan to invade Bihar. He urged Raghuji to join him in taking down Alivardi with a Maratha raid. Raghuji acted upon the proposal. After Mustafa Khan’s rebellion, his nephew, Deputy Governor (Naib Nazim) of Orissa Abdul Rasul Khan, joined him. Thus Durlabh Ram, son of Raja Jankiram, had been appointed Naib Nazim of Orissa.

Siege In March, Raghuji immediately led an army of 14,000–24,000 cavalry, 25,000 infantry and 300 guns to Orissa. "He immediately marched at the head of 14,000 horse to Orissa (March)" "Me marched immediately at the head of 14,000 cavalry and reached Orissa in March, 1745." "When 14,000 Maratha troops advanced Orissa …" "Raghuji who never forgot the treacherous death of Bhaskar marched at this opportune time at the head of fourteen thousand horse." "ইতিমধ্যে রঘুজী ভোসলা ২৪০০০ মারাঠা সৈন্য নিয়া উড়িষ্যা আক্রমণ করেন এবং নবাবের নবনিযুক্ত নায়েব নাযিম দূলভরামকে বন্দী করেন।" "In the 1745 campaign Raghuji himself started with twenty thousand horse, twenty-five thousand infantry and a park of artillery consisting of three hundred guns." Durlabh Ram was a feeble-minded, overly superstitious individual heavily influenced by Hindu religious figures. According to Ghulam Husain, Durlabh Ram was duped by a number of Hindu sanaysis who were spies of Raghuji.

As Maratha forces advanced toward Orissa, Durlabh Ram, preoccupied with religious ceremonies along the Mahanadi River, remained unaware of their approach until they were nearly upon him. Another officer Mir Abdul Aziz, received intelligence of the Marathas' proximity and hastened to Durlabh Ram with twenty troopers, only to find the Durlabh Ram still asleep, oblivious to the impending threat. Awakened, Durlabh Ram hurriedly entered a palanquin, intending to seek refuge in Barabati Fort. En route, he witnessed Maratha troops plundering the city, prompting him to abandon the palanquin and flee on horseback, reaching the fort with great difficulty. Raghuji Bhonsle arrived shortly thereafter, encircling the fort.

Durlabh Ram understood that Nawab Alivardi was in no position to help him as he was busy engaging Afghan rebels. Following the advice of the sanyasis, Durlabh Ram, proposed surrendering to the Maratha forces, but his proposal was opposed by Mir Abdul Aziz. Despite this, Durlabh Ram imprudently visited Raghuji Bhonsle’s camp with his officers and laid his arms. Mir Abdul Aziz, steadfastly refused to surrender Barabati Fort, even after Durlabh Ram’s pressure. Consequently, the Marathas imprisoned Durlabh Ram and held him as a hostage. Mir Abdul Aziz with 400 garrison defended the fort for one month. "The fort of Katak, however, held out under the gallant Abdul Aziz and a garrison of only 400 men." "He left Abdul Aziz inside with three or four hundred of his followers." But outside its walls, whole of Orissa up to Medinipur including Hijli, Hooghly, was occupied by the Marathas. The greater part of Burdwan was also plundered. "But outside its walls all Orissa up to Medinipur passed into the hands of the Marathas (April)." "As soon as the proposal fell through Raghuji advanced towards Birbhum and brought the whole of Orissa, Medinipur and Hijli and the greater part of Burdwan under his sway" "At the same time Maratha raiding parties were sent to occupy whole of Orissa as far as Midnapur and Hugli. A major portion of Burdwan was too plundered." He eventually capitulated on 6 "Raghuji left Nagpur in February 1745 and thus reported about his move: 'Leaving Nagpur I arrived straight against Cuttack and after a couple of months siege and incessant bombardment captured the place on 6th May.'" or 12 May "When the provisions ran short Abdul Aziz was forced to surrender the fort on 12 May, 1745" under the condition of safe passage and was allowed to move to Murshidabad, while Durlabh Ram was freed in 1746 when a ransom was paid for his release. Raghuji left Mir Habib in charge of Orissa under 1,000 cavalry and 2,000 at the Barabati fort before proceeding towards Burdwan. Meanwhile Mustafa Khan was killed at Bihar. Aftermath Marathas then proceeded to Bihar ravaging Midnapore, Burdwan, Birbhum. They looted Bihar and allied with the Afghan rebels. Alivardi followed the Marathas to Bihar and defeated them in a battle near Muhib Alipur in November 1745. "ইহার পর তাহার বর্গী বাহিনী মেদিনীপুর, বর্ধমান ও বীরভূমে লুটপাট ও উপদ্রব করিয়! বিহারের দিকে অগ্রসর হয়। ইহারা বিহারে লুটতরাজ করে এবং আফগানদের সহিত যোগ দেয়। মারাঠাদেরকে অনুসরণ করিয়। আলীবদী বিহারে আসেন এবং মুৃহিব-আলীপুর নামক স্থানে ইহাদেরকে পরাজিত করেন (১৪ই নভেম্বর, ১৭৪৫)।" In May 1749, Alivardi besieged Cuttack and recovered Orissa. But Marathas soon retook Orissa defeating its deputy governor.

See also First Maratha invasion of Bengal Second Maratha invasion of Bengal Battle of Bhagalpur (1745)

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